[Abhirami (the goddess who is pretty every moment) along with her consort
Amrutha Ghateswarar (god who is the pot of nectar) is the presiding deity of
Thirukadyur in Tamil Nadu. It is believed that the pot of nectar which arose at
the churning of ocean of milk floated and reached Thirukadyur. Here the pot
itself became God Shiva. It is also believed that, it is here that sage
Markandeya prayed to God shiva and to save himself from the clutches of death,
Lord Shiva killed Yama, the God of death and saved the great sage. There was a
great devotee called Abhirama Bhattar in this place (see my introduction to
Abhirami andathi) who was so immersed in the goddess that when the King asked
him what was the phase of moon that day, he replied that it was full moon. But
actually it was new moon. To prove that his words are true the goddess threw her
anklets in to the sky. Her ear studs shined like a full moon. The king then
realized the greatness of Abhirama Bhatar.]